A HISTORIC Suffolk church has received a boost after one its most loyal members left a £20,000 donation to it in her will.A prominent figure in the village, Nancy Causton, of Brightwell House, Brightwell, was 98 when she died on March 28.

A HISTORIC Suffolk church has received a boost after one its most loyal members left a £20,000 donation to it in her will.

A prominent figure in the village, Nancy Causton, of Brightwell House, Brightwell, was 98 when she died on March 28. She was a keen golfer and deeply involved with the local WI.

She left £20,000 to the Church of St John the Baptist, Brightwell. The small 13th century church underwent much rebuilding during the 1640s and 50s, making it an unusual landmark.

Rev Geoffrey Grant, rural dean of the Felixstowe peninsula, said: "Mrs Causton was always very involved in the church and was a church warden at one time.

"We have a beautiful historic church in Brightwell but it's very small and it is very difficult to keep it going.

"The money will be very useful. It will probably be used mostly for rebuilding and repairs.

"It's a great example of how people can help the church by leaving a legacy."

Mrs Causton also left £2,000 each to Sight Savers, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Amberfield School, St Elizabeth Hospice, and the Distressed Gentlefolks Aid Association.